Goody Haul Report: San Diego Comic-Con Envy

As some of you may know, the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con was just this past weekend. I was not able to go this year, and I had a serious case of envy for the folks in the action figure and comic community who were able to go. To satisfy my envy, I decided to hit up the stores in and around my area to see if I could find any neat stuff. Let's just say, that I have a MASSIVE goody report for it! Instead of having to type out a huge report, I created several videos:











Told ya it was huge! Hopefully this haul will last for a while. I don't think my wallet can take much more! Until next time, keep it casual!

Goody Haul Report: In-Betweeners

Alright, this report is what I call one of my "In-Betweeners", a smaller goody haul in-between some larger ones. I'm starting to get really interested into the Transfomers Animated figures, and I'm itching to place some big orders of these guys online (there are some older and newer sets on great sales at TRU and Hasbro), but I have to hold off for a little bit, so I got some small goodies before then. OK, here are the goodies:

Transformers Generations Drift: When I first saw some pics of this guy online, I knew I had to have it. I kept searching, but couldn't find it. I finally found it at TRU yesterday and instantly scooped it up. I have a whole bunch of other figs I need to open and shoot video of before this one, but I just couldn't put this off and instantly opened him up when I got home. This guy is the shit! Love this guy. $12.

Transformers Hunt For The Decepticons Battle Blade Bumblebee: Yeah, there's tons of Bees already out there (I already have three), but after seeing some vids of this guy on YouTube, I had to get one. I really wanted a Bee with the face plate, and this has one that slides up and down. Cool! $12.

Marvel Universe Iron Man: This is the Series 2 Extremis Iron Man. He seems to shelf warm around here, but TRU had a buy 2 for $10 deal going for Iron Man 2, Marvel Universe, Star Wars, and G.I. Joe figs. So I picked this guy up (the best out of all the bad paint apps). $5.

Star Wars Clone Wars Captain Rex: The other half of the TRU deal, this is the newer set that includes the game parts. This set is actually for Munchkin No. 2, who wants more to play the game. $5.

Marvel Legends Hand Ninja vs. Dum Dum Dugan 2-Pack: I always meant to pick this set up, but for whatever reason, I either forget (it must be age), or I end up finding something else interesting. And after having MrMADGUS (yo, MAAAAD!) prompting me to get them, I made sure not to forget getting this one. Now I want more to army build with, LOL! $20.

That's it for now. My next report will most likely contain some TF Animated, LOL! Keep it casual!

Yet Another Banner To Take On The Hulk

OK, I may be a day or two late, but I just read that Ed Norton will not be reprising his role as Dr. Banner in any of the future Marvel films. Apparantly the creative scuffle that went on during the Incredible Hulk film soured the movie execs enough to look for someone else (It's been hinted they will make a replacement announcement during Comic-Con). What do I think about it?

Although I liked the Incredible Hulk movie, as well as Ed Norton's role in it, I say good choice, Marvel. I remember reading about Ed Norton's creative involvement in the making of the movie, which is cool. But when Norton wasn't given the credit he thought he deserved, he pretty much skipped out on promoting the movie when it was being released, which is not cool. To me, it looked as though Norton wasn't seeing the bigger picture: Laying the potential groundwork of creating an actual comic universe on film, which would've meant more films (and money!). Instead of trying to gain the glory up front, he should've sucked it in, taken one for the team, bit the bullet, whatever.

So I say, Norton threw his chance away. Downey Jr., Johansson, Jackson, Evans, and Hemsworth are stars who are "playing their part", and will be rewarded for it in the long run. Norton's a great actor, but a short-sighted one, and I won't miss seeing him when Banner next shows up on film.

Goody Haul Report: Tiny Pick-ups

Hey folks, this is just a small Goody Haul Report this time around. After the goodiness of both my last haul and my online orders (You can see the unboxings of my online pick-ups at my YouTube channel here), I've taken a small breather so I can catch up to the shooting of videos of my goodies, not to mention a break for my wallet! OK here's the goodies:

Spider-Man Fiercest Foes Power Charge Rhino: When I first heard about this line, I pretty much dismissed it, due to the what I heard about the poor articulation compared to Marvel Universe figures. I even saw and passed on the Rhino a few times. But then I saw the YouTube videos of the Rhino from both lunacy05 and HOOLIGANISM1982, which quickly changed my mind on the Rhino where I now had to get him. But damn, this guy just disappeared, nowhere to be found! But I finally found one at a K-Mart during my lunch break. Sweet! $8.

Iron Man 2 Titanium Man: At the same K-Mart, the 4" Iron Man 2 figures were on sale. I did a quick peek through the pegs, looking for the $5 coupon sticker to indicate wave 2 figs, and found a few! They had the classic IM (passed for now), Guardsman with bad paint (Boo! passed on these), and a couple of Titanium Man figs. Cool! $7.

Iron Man 2 Hall Of Armor Collection Mark IV: I latched onto the IM2 line pretty early (it was nice to find them a month early!), but interest dropped soon after (just too many other nice toys to pick up!). But I've had a resurgence of interest in all things Iron Man, and decided to try and find the Target Exclusive, Hall Of Armor Mark IV fig. I heard these were different than the single carded figs (paint was more accurate to the movie), not to mention the cool ARC reactor light-up stand. But after a few sightings at various Targets, I just couldn't find one that looked good. The majority of them had wonky leg bends, and bad paint. I did find one with good legs and meh paint, so I picked that one up. $13.

Iron Man Mark II: It seems TRU found a new batch of 6" IM figs from the first movie. I missed most of these when they first came out (I did pick up an Iron Monger back then), and now is my chance to catch up. Lots of folks in the YouTube community don't seem to like these much, but I think they're fine. I want to go back and get more. $11.

Iron Man 2 Concept Series 3-Pack: This is a nice set of 3 IM2 concept armors. I later found out that they are repaints of the first IM concept armors, but I don't care much, since they are still pretty neat (and I don't have any of the first concept armors). $24 (on sale from $30).

Transformers ROTF Brawn: I don't collect too many TF figs, but I was able to find this one on clearance. I hope to find a Lockdown on clearance too. $7.

Amazing Spider-Man Series Hobgoblin: I saved the best one for last. I was on my way home from work, and decided to drop by a Rite-Aid to get some ice cream. Going through the toy aisle, I found this figure stuck on the pegs! A very cool figure set which has been hanging on pegs for at least three or four years! He cost a bit more than original retail, but definitely cheaper than the current secondary market value! A definite treasure find, and an instant pick-up! $13.

Ok, that's it for now! Keep it casual!

Oooh, Shinies!

I was at a Big Lots this past weekend, paying for some backup batteries for my camera, when the lady at the register starts slamming a roll of pennies onto the edge of the counter (I never understood the slamming technique of opening a roll of coins. Isn't the roll just made of paper?). She hands me my change, and along with the dime and nickel was some shiny new pennies. I didn't take notice of them until I got home to unload my change into my coin shoebox, but the pennies are different!

I'm not into numismatics (an uncle tried to get me into it once, but comics stuck more), so I was totally unaware they had redeisned the penny. Apparently, there were four special pennies minted last year to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, and the penny I have in my possession began regular minting this year. I guess the old Lincoln Memorial penny has joined the "Wheatstalks" as a retired one-center. Nice knowing ye, Lincoln Memorial!

Goody Haul Report: Playing Catchup

OK, it's been almost a month since my last Goody Haul Report (Not including my special DCUC Wave 5 acquisition!), and I've got quite a large amount of goodies since then, so I've gathered my notes, and let's not waste any more time (I'll do it by store):

Big Lots

I like going through the closeout stores, 'cause I always end up finding some interesting things (and usually for cheap).
- Marvel Legends X3 Juggernaut: After getting the She-Hulk, I decided to go back and get Juggs. Unfortunately, he was no longer there. I had to nose around several more Big Lots before finding him. $7.
- Guitar Hero action figures: While looking for Juggs, I ran into the 5" Guitar Hero figures. I didn't even know these guys existed (and they looked interesting), so I decided to try one out with Axel Steel. They are pretty cool! I went back and got the rest; Lars Umlaut, Johnny Napalm, and God Of Rock. $3 each.

World's Best Comics

The last time I was here (Free Comic Book Day), I was able to find some Marvel Legends for really nice prices!
- Marvel Legends Series VI Wolverine: When looking for Wolvie figs, my first priority is always the brown suit version. I grew up with that version and the yellow never really stuck for me. This one was on sale for $20.

Empire Comics Vault

I found some nice action figures the last time I was here, so I decided to check it out again.
- Marvel Legends Spider-Woman: This one is the standard version from the MODOK series. Very nice sculpt from what I can see in the package. It doesn't look like she needs to eat a burger. $12.
- Marvel Legends Wasp: Another standard version from the MODOK series (I'm slowly on my way to getting this BAF!). Nothing too special about this other than being cheap. $10.

Toys R Us

I've found out that you can find the best stuff right when it opens. I usually get there during my lunch break an hour or so after opening, and I'll occasionally find a goody that a scalper may have left behind (or missed!).
- Iron Man Movie 6" Mark III: It looks like TRU refound a stock of 6" figs from the the first movie. I picked up this one since I missed it the last time. I may go back and get the Mark II (no signs of the Mark I). $11.
- DC Universe Classics Copperhead: It appears TRU has moved on from Wave 11, and Wave 12 is now hitting the shelves. $15.
- DC Universe Classics Desaad: This one is not necessary to complete the Darkseid C&C, but this just looks too cool to pass on. $15.
- Lex Luthor & Skeletor 2-pack: I'm not really into MOTU, and I just got this set for the Luthor. The Supergirl/Luthor 2-pack had already sold out online before I actively started looking for it (I should have nabbed it online when available, but Wave 5 had sucked out my goody budget!), and I didn't expect to find the Supergirl/Luthor set anymore, so I picked this up instead. I'm going to return it, however, because of the next entry. $30.
- Supergirl & Lex Luthor 2-pack: And on the next day at another TRU, yup, I found the Supergirl/Luthor set. But I bought this for a friend since they were looking for it as well as me already having the Skeletor/Luthor set. Buuuut, on a trip to another TRU that same day, I found a second Supergirl/Luthor set. Yipee! The Skeletor/Luthor is on its way back. $30.
- Cyborg Superman & Mongul 2-pack: At the same TRU where I found the second Supergirl/Luthor set, I also found this set. I don't have the original releases of these guys, so this was a natural pick up for me. $30.

Walmart

Like the Toys R Us, I went to several Walmarts to find the following items:
- Iron Man 2 Movie 6" War Machine: Interesting story on this one. I've been hunting for these for a while, but always see empty pegs. This time the pegs weren't even there! Damn! I may have missed it completely. I moved on to look for some Monster Jam trucks for my son, and on an corner cap in the TOY CAR section was a small set of Iron Man 2 6" figs! All of the Mark VIs had bad paint jobs, so that sucked. but on the bottom pegs were two War Machines! I grabbed both, one for me, and another for a friend. $13.
- Iron Man 2 Movie 6" Mark VIs: At another Walmart, and again, in the non-action figure aisle (keep your eyes open when looking for these, folks!), were the Iron Man 2 6" figs! The paint on the Mark VIs were not much better, so I grabbed two of the best they had. $13.
- DC Universe Classics Beast Boy: At the first Walmart, I found a small clearance section in the board game section. Among the clearance items were DCUC Wave 10 figs. Amongst the countless Power Girls, I was able to find one Beast Boy! Woohoo! $8.
- DC Universe Classics Robotman: Don't know much about the Doom Patrol, but I might as well pick up Robotman for cheap. $8.
- DC Universe Classics Forager: Picked him up for my Oddball League. He'll be my first "hero" (or at least he died as one!) in the group. $8.
- Marvel Universe Black Widow: The couple of times I saw this figure, she looked horrible. I think it was the hair. But this one I picked up looks much better (did Hasbro revise her?). $8.

Target

Again, lots of visits to numerous Targets over the past month:
- DC Universe Classics Eclipso: With Target's recent sale of DCUC, I've been able to complete Wave 12 (woohoo! Darkseid!). And Target has finally come out of the DCUC Stone Age and stocked Wave 12 (I guess they skipped Wave 11 entirely). Eclipso will be another addition to the Oddball League's ranks. $11.
- DC Universe Iron: Another Wave 12 find at Target. Is this the first DCUC Metal Men fig? I can't remember.... $11.
- Batter-Up SpongeBob: Yeah! New SpongeBob plushes! This plush is baseball themed. He even has a fielder's glove! $6.
- The Masked Sponge: Cool, SpongeBob in another superhero get-up! $6.
- Halo 3 figures: I don't play Halo, but I've been eyeing these figs for a while, and finally bit. Or make that bite. Chomp. Devour. I'll just list all that I got in this one entry: Halo 2 Master Chief, Brute Captain in VISR mode, Spartan Soldier Mark V, Oni Operative Dare (helmeted), Spartan Soldier Mark IV, and Ripa 'Moramee Arbiter. Whew! I'm still a Gearhead, but these Halo figs are cool. I can collect both series! $11 each.

Gamestop

With the Halo fig collecting in high gear, I checked out Gamestop for the exclusive fig.
- Halo 3 Oni Operative Dare: This is the exclusive, basically the same as the regular Dare, but with a different head (unhelmeted). $11.
- Halo 3 Ripa 'Moramee Arbiter: I think I'll be army building this guy. He's all kinds of cool. $11.

Okee dokes, that's it! This must've been my longest Goody Haul Report yet! That's what I get when holding off for a month! Until then, keep it casual!